Brahmaswom Madhom

Info File

Project description

Conservation Report for INTACH

The oldest Indian sacred texts, popularly known as the Vedas, have been orally transmitted through the chanting of mantras and are considered this country oldest unbroken tradition. We refer to this practice as Vedic Chant, a tradition recently proclaimed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

400 years ago the Madhom was a temple conceived under a disciple of Adi Sankara and Vedic chant was an essential part of their spiritual life. By becoming a school the continuity of Vedic teaching was ensured, yet it is one of the few Indian institutions that have made survived this tradition.

Rich intangible history relies on this centuries-old complex composed by three Madhoms, an accommodation house, a few temples and a pond called Padinjare Chira, located in the heart of Thrissur city. As a traditional Keralan construction, the structure of the buildinsg is finely made out of timber. Most of the these haven’t received any maintenance and are under severe water damages.

The conservation proposal wishes to secure the durability of the buildings to restore a valuable piece of history. It also includes the revitalization of the adjacent pond, the Padinjare Chira wishes to integrate the complex to the town’s public space.